Obama, Rasmussen Eye Stronger NATO Presence in Europe

U.S. President Barack Obama and NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday spoke out in favor of strengthening the alliance's role in eastern Europe following Moscow's takeover of Crimea.

"We do not seek confrontation but we will not waiver if challenged," Rasmussen said after a brief meeting with Obama in Brussels, the Belgian capital that also hosts EU and NATO headquarters.

The U.S. president, who kicked off a daylong visit to Belgium with an emotional stop in the sole Belgian World War I cemetery to hold U.S. graves, said later that "NATO nations never stand alone."

Recalling that the alliance now was patrolling the skies over the Baltics, and had reinforced its presence in Poland, he said: "and we're prepared to do more."

Pressed to bolster its presence on the eastern fringes of Europe, the alliance has dispatched AWACS radar surveillance planes while Washington has sent 12 F-16 fighters to Poland as well as transport planes and 300 troops.

"NATO is a force for peace but also unmatched militarily," Rasmussen said.

"Our commitment to the defense of our Allies is unbreakable and at the same time we are firm in our support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the NATO chief said.

"We will intensify our military cooperation with Ukraine including helping the Ukrainians to modernize their armed forces."

Obama ruled out military action in Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO.